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Hi I'm Roland Wood

I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley of California. I am a high school math teacher. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

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I am a father of six children. I teach Geometry and Alegebra 2 at the local High School. I enjoy playing strategy board games with friends and family. I also am a fan of Sci Fi and Fantasy literature and absolutely love my e-reader! I own two dogs, a Dachshund and a German Shepherd. I like to go camping and hiking with my family.

Why I am a Mormon

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I am a Mormon because I have asked God privately and directly whether Joseph Smith was a prophet and whether the Book of Mormon is true. He spoke to my mind and heart that these things are true. In addition, I have felt the Lord's presence and love many times when I have attended church, gone to the temple, and in my own home as I have pondered the gospel.
In addition to these experiences I choose to believe the gospel preached by the Mormon church because I hope that it is true. The blessings and promises are beautiful and the happiness and joy gained by living according to the commandments are real. My hope for the truth of the gospel goes hand in hand with my faith. That faith has been confirmed to me over and over by undeniable witnesses that God loves me and desires me to walk the path I have chosen.
I also have a deep conviction of the atoning power of Jesus Christ. He lives. He loves us. He has paid the price for our sins. I have personally experienced that power in my own life as I have turned away from sin and chosen to be more like him. I have felt the peace and love replace the guilt and sorrow and I know that those feelings came from a Source outside of myself.
Finally, I have a conviction of the Priesthood Authority of this church. I trust the authority to be given of God and not simply awarded by man. I believe that the ordinances and performances enacted by authorized members of the priesthood are valid and accepted by God. In this church the name of Christ is not taken in vain.

How I live my faith

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I am very involved with my church and the community. I am the job specialist for our area and so have the opportunity of encouraging people and helping them find new leads as they strive to gain employment. I am also the Sunday School President which means I am working to support all of our Sunday School teachers and students to feel the love and closeness of God while they are in their classes each Sunday.

What is the purpose of the welfare services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Roland Wood

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People who feel secure in their temporal well-being are better able to feel the peace and comfort of the Holy Ghost in their lives. The purpose of the welfare services of the church is to help people become self-reliant so that their confidence and feelings of security are raised and they can come to know the love that God has for them as they are served and supported by their brothers and sisters.Show moreShow less

Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endorse political parties?

Roland Wood

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Members of the church espouse values that will often coincide with the professed values of various political platforms but there is no official support of one party over another. As members of the church we pray for all of our secular leaders to be wise and mindful of God's commandments as they govern regardless of their political affiliations. Members of the church are encouraged to be active in community and government.Show moreShow less

What is the Atonement of Jesus Christ? Why was it necessary for Jesus Christ to sacrifice His life?

Roland Wood

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Jesus Christ suffered and died so that we could overcome the two obstacles keeping us from returning to our Father in Heaven. When he paid the price for all sin while in Gethsemane he made it possible for us to repent of our sins and become clean. When he died on the cross and then was resurrected he made it possible for all of us to live again through resurrection. This is the Grace of God. If we will come unto Christ and believe in Him and follow His way then his blood will wash away our sins. Every man, woman, and child who has ever lived on the earth will be resurrected to an immortal state. These are things we could never have done for ourselves. Only Jesus could do it and as we try to live better each day and ask His forgiveness and feel the peace and love come into our hearts letting us know that we are forgiven we gradually learn to be one with Him. At - One - Ment.Show moreShow less

What do Mormons believe about the nature of God?

Roland Wood

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God the Father is perfect, all-powerful, and all-knowing. He loves us deeply and knows each of us personally. He organized and created all things in the universe and is the Master and Ruler of all. He is an immortal and glorious man whose physical body looks like us. Indeed we are his literal spirit children and we lived with him in Heaven as spirits before we were born into this world. God is our Father and we are all brothers and sisters in his family. We believe that God the Father is a separate Being from Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.Show moreShow less

Brian Donahue was well versed in the Bible and had a strong religious upbringing, but he still felt something was missing. In his search to discover what that was, he never thought the answer would come directly from God.